Deputy injured saving potential jumper

A Parker County sheriff's deputy suffered minor injuries Friday while tackling a 21-year-old man who appeared to be about to jump from an Interstate 20 bridge, officials said

A concerned citizen had alerted officials shortly before 7 p.m. after spotting an apparently distraught man standing on the Interstate 20 overpass.

 Deputies had blocked traffic in the area as the man sat on the concrete guardrail with his legs dangling over, according to a press release issued Tuesday by the sheriff's office about the incident.

As deputies distracted the man, Cpl. Kevin Lanham approached from behind and attempted to convince the man to return back to the ground.

When he saw the man lean forward, Lanham rushed to grab the man, injuring himself as he fell to the pavement while holding the man.

The deputy received minor abrasions and swelling to his knees but did not require hospitalization, the release states.

The man was checked out by paramedics and released into his family member's custody. He told authorities he did not wish to harm himself but was not thinking straight during the incident, the release states.

- Deanna Boyd